Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 02:39:16 PM

Title: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 02:39:16 PM: I’ve never drawn an OIL tag so when I found out I won the raffle I was in disbelief. Of all the tags to get in Wa I never thought I would get a raffle tag. After the initial shock I started making phone calls. I got some great info from some friends and made some new friends along the way . You all know who you are and I’m thankful for all your help

I started scouting in mid August mostly to learn some areas and get my eyes on as many goats as possible. When you get this tag you want to hunt every unit but with an Idaho elk hunt already planned in September I had to pick a unit or 2 and stick with it.
One of my goals for this hunt was to try to get one with my bow .
I decided on focusing all my time in the blazed ridge unit . It was close to my house and I new I would need to put a lot of time in to kill a mature Billy with my bow . I also wanted to wait until they haired up nicely. September got real smoky so not much scouting happened. I did kill a nice bull in Idaho so we were off to a good start

Sorry , this is going to be one of those long drawn out stories with lots of pics
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 02:43:08 PM: October was going to be the month . First week I went to an area I had been seeing some goats and found this guy. I knew he was a young billy but excited to see the hair
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: ctwiggs1 on November 02, 2020, 02:45:12 PM: Tagging along!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Rainier10 on November 02, 2020, 02:47:11 PM: I'm in.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 02:57:32 PM: Another 1/2 hour hike and I saw another one ! I new this was a great goat right away. Way bigger body and long horns . I didn’t have my bow yet as I was still in scouting mode.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 03:00:06 PM: I quickly snapped a few pics and sent them to the goat gurus. I immediately got the dreaded text back. “Keep looking”. And so the hunt continued. To young. This was so much fun !
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 03:13:54 PM: 2 days later I found myself checking a new area that someone told me to check out . Not finding any goats in that area I decided to hike back into the drainage where I saw the 2 young billies with a friend. As we got to the top I could already see the 2 billies from the last trip .we watched them for about an hour and then decided to go higher . As we sat in 50 mile an hour wind and sideways rain we noticed another billy moving down the creek bottom. Now this was a monster we decided. Pictures turned out crummy because of the weather but I new if I could get an arrow in that one I would be a happy camper . Still no bow in my hand but This one I was going to go after i decided
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 03:22:18 PM: I had to work the next couple days and actually changed my mind . I knew I would be stoked with that goat but I didn’t want it to end . It was just starting to get good and I had plenty of time . Quick disclaimer: I’m not really hung up on score or shooting the biggest goat ever Goal is to shoot a mature billy with my bow . I decided to give it 1 week to find a bigger one and weather was moving in
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: trophyhunt on November 02, 2020, 03:24:50 PM: Man I get it, but that last goat looks really nice. I'd have to try to kill that, especially with a bow, what a hunt that would be.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 04:55:28 PM: I found myself on a grueling hike checking out another mountain . It was pissing rain and headed back to the truck with no goat sightings. I was almost back to the truck and decided to break out the spotter one more time . For some reason I glassed this low Mountain about 2 miles away and I see a white spot . I thought there is no way there is a goat down there but I’ll drive down and try to check it out . I drove as close as I could and as I drove up the drainage I looked up and saw a giant white rock. Bummer but I kept driving up . The road took me to the top of the ridge. When I got to the top I immediately saw 2 big bodied goats going over the top . I was already spent from the hike earlier but I had to see these goats. This was going to hurt.
An hour and half later I crested the top . The 2 billies where feeding on a steep hillside. I snuck in to about 120 yards only armed with my phone and spotter. Again thankful I wasn’t carrying my bow. These weren’t the goats for me
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 05:06:12 PM: More
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 05:20:14 PM: As I was coming down the peak after watching them for hours I was able to glass the same small mountain down low . I focused in on the spot where I saw the white patch and this is what I saw
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 05:24:47 PM: I knew I had to get closer but I had a feeling this was my goat . He was by himself. Body looks huge and he was in a great spot for a bow. Unfortunately it got dark before I could get a closer look
Next day I had to work
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 05:33:53 PM: 3 days later I was up early on an opposite hillside about 1200 yards away. That morning it was foggy and I couldn’t see the hillside. About 11am a buddy came up to help me glass. The fog lifted and we saw him right away in the exact same spot. We watched him till dark trying to get good photos. He never left but we saw enough to know he was the one. Short horns but heavy and huge body
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 05:48:01 PM: The next day was snowy and stormy so we decided to go kill him the following day . When we got to our spotting point in the morning the hillside was completely white with fresh snow. We glassed till about 11am with zero results. I decided to go up anyway hoping to cut his tracks or see him. As soon as I got to the top I found a fresh set of tracks. I followed him all over the mountain and he started going down lower and lower. I finally got to the point where I knew there was 1 last cliff area. As I snuck in I could hear him digging a hole to lay in. As I came around a giant rock I could see from his shoulder back. He didn’t know I was there. I ranged him at 14.4 yards

I drew back. Then let down. What if it was a different one ? What if it’s a nanny ? I slowly cleared the rock to see his head. Crap it’s him. He sees me now. We have a stand off for a while. I try to draw back again. He takes off. I didn’t want to push him so I went down the mountain feeling like I just blew my chance. When I got to the bottom the boys got some more pics
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: bear on November 02, 2020, 05:50:05 PM: Nice hair
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Jpmiller on November 02, 2020, 05:56:14 PM: A goat hunt in the blazed ridge unit is right near the top of my bucket list. Enjoying following so far.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on November 02, 2020, 06:03:42 PM: 🤔
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 06:16:10 PM: The next day we located him again and I would get a second chance. I made my second stalk of the season. I got to 33 yards and couldn’t get a shot There was 1 branch between us. I decided to sit it out and wait for him to move. Eventually the wind got me and he disappeared.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 06:33:15 PM: For the next 4 days I glassed for that goat every morning and evening. Never saw him again.
October 30th my son and I decided to go back to the creek drainage where we saw the 3 billies a couple weeks earlier. It was so stormy and windy we opted to abort and come back the next day. As we were leaving I spotted some goats on the cliffs. Billies pushing nannies. The rut starts. Plan to come in the morning
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 07:18:39 PM: Raffle has specific units. They are posted in the refs if you are interested
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 07:31:35 PM: October 31st. The plan was for me to hike around to where I had seen the goats the morning before. I started hiking in the dark and it took about 2 1/2 hours to get to the top. My buddy and son were on the opposite hillside glassing. I was expecting to peak over the top and see the big herd about 100 yards down. Was hoping to glass to see if there was a mature billy in the bunch. Instead I peaked over and didn’t see anything. I went up a little higher and peaked over. This time I see a goat very close working his way up towards me. I range 28 yards. No shot as he is facing me. He has no idea I’m there. I go down to another rock and he feeds by me at 10 yards. I know he’s big. I shoot and he goes down 50 yards. Hung up on a fallen tree. Goat down !! This is what the guys saw from the other side
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 07:32:53 PM: Where he stopped
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 07:35:49 PM: Pics
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 07:38:44 PM: Such an amazing hunt. I had so much help and support from friends and family. I watched a lot of other nannies and billies Spent a ton of time in the woods. Hunt of a lifetime for me. Wouldn’t change a thing. Enjoy
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: lewy on November 02, 2020, 07:49:03 PM: Awesome Jason!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Sutherland on November 02, 2020, 07:55:22 PM: Man that's very cool, right on! Thanks for sharing the story and great pics!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: jstone on November 02, 2020, 08:00:44 PM: Nice hunt
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Jpmiller on November 02, 2020, 08:02:06 PM: Very very cool, thank you for sharing your hunt with us. Congrats.

Any idea on a mount or a rug?
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on November 02, 2020, 08:09:25 PM: Nice job. Great hunt and well documented.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Dan-o on November 02, 2020, 08:26:26 PM: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:

FANTASTIC

Loved the write up.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Pinetar on November 02, 2020, 08:28:04 PM: Great write up, great pictures, Congrats and thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Twispriver on November 02, 2020, 08:34:22 PM: Nice goat and great story - thanks for sharing :tup:
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2020, 08:35:13 PM: Absolutely fantastic! Thank you for sharing!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on November 02, 2020, 08:36:43 PM: Great hunt, great story, awesome adventure!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: csaaphill on November 02, 2020, 08:39:44 PM: :yike:
nice job grats
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: RoostrCogburn on November 02, 2020, 09:19:33 PM: Well that was a fun story. Nice goat.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: ellensburgpo on November 02, 2020, 09:21:49 PM: Great hunt, congrats.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: RB on November 02, 2020, 09:28:09 PM: Right on, nice Billy, and great story, thanks for sharing! :tup:
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: MountainTracker on November 02, 2020, 09:29:18 PM: Awesome goat man, and elk. You worked hard for him, good for you on doing it with your bow like you want. Maybe I missed it what kind of mount are you going to do?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 09:34:37 PM: Thanks. I’m doing a full body mount
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Rob on November 03, 2020, 03:40:46 AM: Wonderful hunt, congratulations!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: MtnMuley on November 03, 2020, 05:04:41 AM: Very nicely done :tup: :tup: Did you grab any measurements off the horns?
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: zwickeyman on November 03, 2020, 05:19:27 AM: What a great hunt, sounds like you worked your ass off and you earned him
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Tree Killer on November 03, 2020, 05:59:26 AM: Fantastic hunt and beautiful goat! The second success photo with the valley and distant mountains is superb. Thanks for sharing. :tup:
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: X-Force on November 03, 2020, 06:09:48 AM: Congrats beautiful billy.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on November 03, 2020, 06:10:32 AM: Amazing hunt and story. I've been lucky enough to get a goat in the 80s but my next will be with a bow if I'm fortunate enough to draw again or spend for an out of state tag. How far are your friends when they videotaped the goats right before your shot? And what kind of glass were they using? It looks so clear!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: elkrack on November 03, 2020, 07:14:28 AM: Awesome! Great job👍🏻
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Duckhunter14 on November 03, 2020, 07:52:57 AM: Great story and beautiful goat! Congrats and thanks for sharing. Also love to hear the measurements. I always try to guess from field photos and kill shots so one day if I can draw I can try to judge. Goats seem like tough ones to try and field judge!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 03, 2020, 08:22:42 AM: Congrats!! Awesome goat!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: trophyhunt on November 03, 2020, 08:24:57 AM: What a great hunt, thank you for taking us along!!! Super mega congrats!!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: jowings22 on November 03, 2020, 08:31:05 AM: Congrats! Thanks for sharing!!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: MountainTracker on November 03, 2020, 08:34:59 AM: Quote from: rougheye on November 02, 2020, 09:34:37 PM
Thanks. I’m doing a full body mount
That will be awesome

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 03, 2020, 08:36:37 AM: :tup:

Thanks for sharing..
I love that country up there.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: jackelope on November 03, 2020, 09:21:21 AM: Stud goat with the bow.
Congrats Jason. Way to go.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: cedarriver on November 03, 2020, 09:36:22 AM: Beautiful, Congrats!!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 03, 2020, 09:51:03 AM: That's an amazing goat. Congratulations.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: OutHouse on November 03, 2020, 11:12:36 AM: Nice job rougheye! That last picture with you looking down at the goat is phenomenal
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Whitpirate on November 03, 2020, 11:22:58 AM: That is one for the memory book! Congrats on such a fine hunt and outcome. What kind of mount are you considering?
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: hunterednate on November 03, 2020, 11:30:06 AM: Wow, what a hunt! To kill a goat with a bow is no small feat...especially a billy of that quality. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: HikerHunter on November 03, 2020, 02:52:52 PM: beautiful goat! nicely done!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on November 03, 2020, 03:42:25 PM: Thanks everybody , just came back from the taxidermist
First off score . The taxi is not certified measurer. He green scored it at 51”. Length of horns are 10 2/8 each
Bases are 5 7/8

Not sure on what kind of full body yet. I’m open to suggestions,

The video my buddy took was through a swarovski spotter at about 600 yards
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: MtnMuley on November 03, 2020, 06:00:28 PM: That's a great goat. :tup:
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: SuperDave on November 03, 2020, 06:09:38 PM: Nice looking goat and a great write up, congratulations
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: whacker1 on November 04, 2020, 06:11:07 AM: very cool
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Pathfinder101 on November 06, 2020, 12:30:33 PM: Awesome pics and story. Thanks for sharing :tup:
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Duckhunter14 on November 09, 2020, 09:56:55 AM: Awesome! Congrats again and thank you for sharing! He'll look amazing with a full body mount on the wall. :tup:
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: Bushcraft on November 10, 2020, 06:14:15 PM: Congrats on a beauty of a billy! Please tell me you're getting a life sized mount. :tup:
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: rougheye on May 19, 2021, 12:02:09 PM: Finally got him scored
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: trophyhunt on May 19, 2021, 12:13:39 PM: Congrats!!! that is great!
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: bearpaw on May 19, 2021, 01:22:30 PM: Great story, goat, and photos, thanks for sharing! :tup:
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: go4steelhd on May 19, 2021, 02:03:09 PM: Great thread.

Beautiful goat, and with a bow :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:

thanks for sharing your story and photos
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: jackelope on May 20, 2021, 05:06:05 PM: Great news! Congrats on an all time record book Booner billy.
Title: Re: Raffle Goat
Post by: bearhunter99 on May 20, 2021, 06:35:19 PM: What a great goat. Congrats!